By Tony O’Riley-
EU leaders have spoken to undermine Britain’s ability to influence things on a global scale post Brexit as they paid tribute to the Uk.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Council Charles Michel and president of the European Parliament David Sassoli jointly put an article together to mark Britain’s departure from the EU.
The three leaders spoke of their ‘fondness for the United Kingdom’ and praising Brits for their ‘creativity, ingenuity, culture, and traditions’. However, they made their views clear that Britain will not on its own be able to influence global affairs in the way that it has been able to as a member of the bloc.
Their joint blow delivered at a press conference in Brussels was to stress what they see as a historic mistake on the part of the Uk. a Ms von der Leyen said ‘strength does not lie in splendid isolation’.
Writing in The Times, Ms von der Leyen, Mr Michel and Mr Sassoli said Brexit will ‘mark a new dawn for Europe’ as well as the UK.
They said the result of the 2016 EU referendum united their members as ‘nations, institutions and as people’.
‘They have reminded us all that the EU is more than a market or economic power but stands for values that we all share and defend,’ the trio wrote.
‘This is why the member states of the EU will continue to join forces and build a common future.
‘In an age of great power competition and turbulent geopolitics, size matters.
‘No country alone can hold back the tide of climate change, find the solutions to the digital future or have a strong voice in the ever-louder cacophony of the world. But together, the EU can
Britain’s MEPs left the European Parliament for the last time today feeling content that Brexit day is finally here. Not much is expected to immediately change in real terms as a deal between Britain and the EU will not be sealed until December at the earliest. The free movement of people will also continue for the rest of the year, meaning it will take a while before the full effect of Brexit is felt.